Who Does God Say I Am?

17 February 2022

Cheri Strange

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Categories: Spiritual Growth

Who Does God Say That I Am?

One of the most formative seasons in my life came through difficulty. It was the kind of time and place that causes a person to question if they are truly in relationship with the Father or just crazy. The outside voices pouring into me from those people I trusted were less than positive. They were downright mean. If these voices were accurate in their assessment of me, then I clearly could not hear God. The dissent raised against me was not, “When you do or say X, it makes me feel…” or any particular situation in which I could apologize.

From their perspective, the problem was me.

And my problem was twofold:

I believed them.
I did not know who God says that I am.

It was during this season God taught me Whose voice matters most. At just the right time, the many places across Scripture about those who have made Jesus their Savior came alive. In my desperation, I began to write these down. This understanding was nothing short of a paradigm shift in my life, leading me to believe God over man and helping me discern His purposes for my life. I thought you might benefit from knowing who God says you are, as well.

Here are 15 verses that tell you who God says you are.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3

1 Corinthians 3:16

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthian 3:16

Romans 8:37

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37

Psalm 97:11

Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

1 Thessalonians 5:5

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Ephesians 2:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 2:7

Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved– Ephesians 2:4-5

1 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Colossians 3:12

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12

Matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

I pray these verses minister to you in a genuine way today. Be sure to share this resource with someone who needs it. Thanks for stopping by.

Until we meet again.

For His Glory,

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Have you discovered Cheri on YouVersion where she has over TWENTY-FIVE different reading plans for you to choose from, such as:

Be sure to check out the Stirring Faith Podcast, where you will find encouraging episodes like this one:

You can meet Cheri on the She Yearns blog for more truth-saturated, Gospel-centered encouragement like this:

Questioning God

11 February 2022

Cheri Strange

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Categories: Prayer

Questioning God

Happy Friday here. Welcome to She Prays on Friday. I’m sitting here with an oversized bandage taped to my chin, due to a medical procedure, protecting what my doctor expects to turn black and blue by morning. I sort of feel like I was knocked silly by the neighborhood bully. Tomorrow I will look like it, which is fabulous because I am speaking at 9:00 a.m. No. This is unequivocally NOT how I anticipated spending my weekend, but as you know, the stuff of life doesn’t always work out seamlessly. At times it leaves us in a quandary, and often worse.

Maybe you have a situation in your life that is not turning out the way you planned? You have been diligent. Faithful. Certain of what your heard God speak over your life. But reality proves differently. You didn’t make the needed scores, or the business arrangement fell through. Your loved one did not recover. They did not select you for the position. Or, the relationship you have agonized and prayed over has gone belly up. These are the perfect environments to cultivate doubt and discouragement, leaving you questioning God. You might think, “WHAT IN THE WORLD are YOU doing, Lord? This is not the way it was supposed to play out.”

I can relate 100%. One thing I find to be effective when I’m puzzled, frustrated, or even a little spiritually black and blue is to approach my situation in the same manner we find Habakkuk advancing. This man posed questions before God such as ours.

Habakkuk’s Example

O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry, “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Habakkuk 1:2-3

Habakkuk wrote these down and then waited expectantly for God to respond.

I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. Habakkuk 2:1

If I take my cues from Habakkuk, I will write my questions down, likely in a journal. Journaling helps me focus my quandary AND prepares me to wait for an actual response. It could be as pointed as, “What about X? And how about Y? You know, my situation is not working out as I expected. Did I hear you correctly? Am I on the right track?”

Often you and I don’t even know how to invite other people into the difficulty. But God, in His kindness, His tenderness, His perfect understanding of who we are, and what we will need, meets us with His Word.

“Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the LORD; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?” says your God. Isaiah 66:9

Only God knows what you are going through. I cannot imagine the uncertainties, the bewilderments, injuries, and disappointments you are encountering. Likely, you possess a limited understanding of God’s Hand on your present situation and what the future may hold. Sweet friend, you are not alone. Many of us can relate, even if we cannot articulate our puzzled state to another.

What Can We Do When Questioning God?

What we CAN do is take our quandary to the Lord. God’s response to Isaiah is encouraging beyond words. If He ordains it (whatever “it” is in your particular situation), if what we are trusting Him for aligns with His heart and purpose for our lives, then we can take it to the spiritual bank. Your God will be faithful to see all the details through to completion, even if life doesn’t turn out as you and I envision.

Right now, your situation may look impossible. Don’t stop believing in God’s omnipotence. Do not lose heart. Remember with Whom you are dealing. He does not bring us to the edge in order to push us over plunging toward our demise. God’s dealings with us do not need to make sense or work out like a fairy tale. Still. He loves you and will be faithful forevermore.

“Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the LORD; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?”

No.

My Prayer for You Today

Lord,

Some days, in particular situations, questions arise. And when that happens it gives room for all sorts of negative emotions and doubts. We wonder what in the world You are doing. Did we hear You correctly when we thought You told us to move in a certain direction or follow a particular path? All roads forward seem to close in on us and there is not a Plan B illuminated. We desperately want to know if we can hear you? Are you speaking in these areas? Are we on the right course? What should we do now?

So, for my friend, reading, I primarily ask that You grant her the ability to see You at work in her life. Help her recognize the difference between what SHE wants and what YOU desire. Bring these differences into harmony for Your glory. Move her to seek Your face. And when she does –enable her to believe that she can trust what You tell her. Help her know, that in the midst of her predicament not going as planned, You are in it to the finish.

I ask that you answer her questions. But even if you choose not to, show her Your way forward. What is the path that demonstrates a belief and trust in You? Give her confidence in Your Divine power to reveal Yourself and Your purposes to her as you so desire.

In the glorious and powerfully able Name of Jesus, Amen.

Thanks for stopping by. I pray we meet again soon.

For His Glory,

[optin-cat id=”4577″]

Have you discovered Cheri on YouVersion where she has over TWENTY different reading plans for you to choose from, such as:

Be sure to check out the Stirring Faith Podcast, where you will find encouraging episodes like this one:

You can meet Cheri on the She Yearns blog for more truth-saturated, Gospel-centered encouragement like this:

Living Shoulder 2 Shoulder

1 February 2022

Cheri Strange

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Categories: Spiritual Growth

Living Shoulder 2 Shoulder

What if you were The Plan for offering hope and healing to a culture in crisis? God’s Divine plan for utilizing you and me as instruments for bringing hope into our surroundings and even impossible situations sounds about as genius as leaving my twin boys home alone for the weekend and handing over my credit cards.

It just doesn’t seem smart.

Surely there is a better pathway, one that is guaranteed to succeed. Why couldn’t God use a few millionaires, pro-athletes, and movie stars with international platforms? Maybe rain down some hail to smite the bad guys and right some wrongs, or drop a few other miracles now and then to remedy the world’s catastrophic atrocities and disasters? I mean, He is God. Can’t He fix all that is wrong in the world? Can’t He comfort the lonely and bring hope to the despairing?

Yes, He can. And He will.

Until that time arrives, His plan is YOU. Oh, He doesn’t need you… But He has fitted you perfectly into His plan.

And we won’t need to look very far to find the needy. Current research tells us what we already know. Those around us feel lonely. Isolated. They feel as if no one understands. There is no telling what they are going through. And most lack real relationships. Maybe you have felt this way, too.

The solution for people within your sphere of influence finding hope and losing their sense of isolation is, of course, Jesus. But they are never going to get to Jesus, hold up in their ruts of sameness. And people who know Jesus still face challenging situations oozing with troubles galore, disappointment, loss, or any combination of the sort. We need each other.

You and I are the catalysts for connection.

My challenge to you is to pray through connecting with a handful of women (it could just be 1-2 but no more than 5-7) in 2022. Maybe they live in your area. They might possibly work in your building or department. Or they might be the women you see regularly in and about life.

Make it a goal to meet with your handful once a month. Meet for coffee. At someone’s home, or backyard. Have dinner at a restaurant where the conversation can still rule. Inside. Outside. It doesn’t matter. Just make it casual and easy.

While you are together spend some time getting to know one another. Ask questions. Answer theirs. Then, move the conversation toward the Gospel. What you do next will depend on your group, but the goal remains the same: to offer hope and help through listening, speaking Gospel truth, and living it out.

Each month, if you subscribe to my FREE News and Updates, I will provide you with a key verse or passage, a few thoughts on that verse or passage (for you, the leader), and some discussion questions you can utilize with your group. Nothing formal. The focus is connecting and building the relationships on a deeper level to invite and foster sharing what it is like to live as Believers in Christ.

And I will throw in a recipe for sharing–something easy that doesn’t need 4-5 hours and 2 different store stops.

You will identify these goodies by the following title: Living Shoulder 2 Shoulder (taken from)

“For then I will restore to the peoples pure lips, So that all of them may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder.” Zephaniah 3:9

Starting a Shoulder 2 Shoulder Group

As this is the beginning, let’s forgo the verse or passage and focus on getting comfortable with the situation. Here is a suggested To-Do list as you prepare.

Pray for who might be in your Shoulder 2 Shoulder group.
Invite each one to come together when and where you have selected (think 1.5 hours to begin).
Use this first meeting to help people get familiar with each other and set the tone for the future.
Ask fun get-to-know-you questions.
Then use one or two of the Gospel conversation options provided.
Create a way of communicating your people agree upon (GroupMe, texting, email, etc.) and get everyone connected.
Set your next meeting date/time.
Before you leave, ask if there is anything you can pray for them about.
Start communicating with them at least once per week between meeting times.

Fun Get to know you Questions for Shoulder 2 Shoulder

If you could move anywhere in the world where would you move to?
If you could open any kind of restaurant, what would it be?
Do you have any pets, if so what kind, and what are their names?
What is a job you’d definitely not want to have?
For Valentine’s Day, (or something like it), would you prefer flowers or chocolate, or something different, like a new fishing pole?

Gospel Conversation Starters for Shoulder 2 Shoulder

What are you reading right now?
What is something you consider to be a great personal success? Why was it so significant?
What is your spiritual background?
Have your views on religion changed since you finished college (or became an adult)? How?

Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients

1 (16.5 oz.) box red velvet cake mix

1/3 cup oil

2 large eggs (at room temperature)

1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat over to 350*F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Add cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Mix until combined. Add white chocolate and fold into batter. Drop by tablespoons onto prepared pans, 2 inches apart.

Bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are done. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack.

Normally, this is reserved for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. But it offers such needed benefits, I wanted to make sure ALL readers were aware of what is available. All that is required is a name and an email address. You will receive a free gift for signing up, as well as begin receiving these monthly emails and more exclusive articles and free resources. Plus you gain access to the private FB group for Subscribers. It’s a win-win-win! Sign-up here for your Free gift and get involved today!

For His Glory,

Have you discovered Cheri on YouVersion where she has over TWENTY different reading plans for you to choose from, such as:

Be sure to check out the Stirring Faith Podcast, where you will find encouraging episodes like this one:

You can meet Cheri on the She Yearns blog for more truth-saturated, Gospel-centered encouragement like this:

What Now, Lord?

13 July 2021

Cheri Strange

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Categories: Purpose

What Now, Lord?

by Cheri Strange

If you were to sneak a peek into my prayer journal or listen in on my private “me-sided” conversations with the Lord, like a broken record you would hear me ask, “What now, Lord?’

This is a recurrent question of mine. I’m a woman who needs a plan. A list. A target. Some endpoint in sight. Give me the big picture of where we are headed and point me in the direction of getting there. It’s how I am able to make my “ship” of a family filled with ten people move efficiently while writing, speaking, and serving.

Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, wrote,

“if you do not have a plan, a goal, a direction, a purpose, and a focus, you are not going to accomplish anything for the glory of God.”

Mr. Bright is on to something because most people never set goals (only about 3%). Somehow we are not sure how to discover that plan, rally around a goal, to go in a certain direction, for a determined purpose, with focused energy necessary.

Today, I am here to offer you my best piece of advice for your first step in discovering your purpose and reaching your goals.

Let your work be shown to your servants; and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! Pslam 90:16-17

My Best Advice for Discovering Your Purpose

Pray these verses (Psalm 90;16-17) every day. Make them yours. “Lord, I need to know what you want me to do...” or something along those lines is perfect.
Read your Bible every day. Get on a schedule. Don’t worry about checking every box yet. Just get in the habit.
Keep a list of the ideas and thoughts that come to you related to any of those things as you pray and read. It could very well be, these are the areas in which He wants you involved.
Keep praying and seeking until you have an answer.

This is where my goals and plans originate. There is nothing magical about how I am able to get things done effectively. I get tired just like you and I do all my own housework. I simply ask, “What now, Lord?” on a recurrent basis. And He answers me. Without this disciplined listening and hearing, I would not be able to reach my goals or like Mr. Bright attests, “accomplish anything for the glory of God.”

If you have a best idea for goal setting – post it below.

And thanks for stopping by.

For His Glory,

Have you discovered Cheri on YouVersion where she has TWENTY different reading plans for you to choose from, such as:

Be sure to check out the Stirring Faith Podcast, where you will find encouraging episodes like this one:

You can meet Cheri on the She Yearns blog for more truth-saturated, Gospel-centered encouragement like this:

Glimpses of She Prays

17 March 2020

Cheri Strange

No comments

Categories: Podcasts

Glimpses of She Prays

Podcast #806

Welcome to the Stirring Faith Podcast – Glimpses of She Prays

Today we are doing something different on the podcast. We want to give you a taste of what is available on our sister broadcast, She Prays, every Friday on another RSS. This episode provides glimpses of what that particular podcast is all about, highlighting three past episodes. I hope you enjoy these short and encourages segments. It’s our desire to help illuminate Scripture that can be prayed and utilized as a tool in your daily life. Then actually use it over you, the listener, to bring power and encouragement to the forefront of your day.

Remember we have recently moved over from being identified as THE SHE YEARNS PODCAST to STIRRING FAITH WITH CHERI STRANGE. But don’t worry. If you are a current subscriber, you will not need to do anything. You should automatically be updated with the changes. We are so glad you are here to share it with us.

Don’t forget about The Show Notes!

Just fill out the form and today’s note will go straight to your inbox. Because this episode is not hardy in material, we won’t send out notes, but, generally speaking, every episode, after you sign up, should show up on the device of your choosing. What could be better?

How Awesome is Show Notes?

If you are already a subscriber to the She Yearns Updates, you will begin receiving a link to a pdf. But this is different. By signing up here, you will ONLY RECEIVE Show Notes for the podcast. There is nothing to download unless there is some sort of bonus offered.

You can also use this resource to take with you to coffee with a friend or sit with a small group and talk about the topic together. It’s a quick low prep to no prep way to have a deep discussion about relevant Gospel-centered topics that matter to your everyday lives. So don’t wait! Sign up today!

Besides Glimpses of She Prays — Your God is For Me is one of my favorite recent episodes. You can find it here if you are interested.

You can now check out the latest episodes from iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, iHeartRADIO, or BuzzSprout. Just click on the links below! As always, you can scroll down and listen right here!

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Thank you for listening,